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Known as one of the most up to date cities in the world, Abu Dhabi is also the federal capital of the United Arab Emirates, as well as the largest of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi cities. Being the nerve center of many oil companies, it is also a very wealthy city, with many beautiful large parks and gardens, plenty of modern high-rise buildings, and lavish shopping malls.

Opulence abounds in most of the international Abu Dhabi hotels too, with many of them being extremely pricey, but all of them well managed. The majority of hotels are home to world-class restaurants, pool areas, and other first class hotel facilities that one would expect to find in luxury hotels.

One of the hotels for instance, has marble everywhere, and another, considered to be one of the most expensive hotels to build in the world, has just about every surface plated in gold! One of the hotels is extremely popular with businessmen and women, since it is centrally situated, with spacious rooms, well-equipped kitchens, a gym, as well as an indoor pool.

It is not just the hotels which attract visitors to go on holidays to Abu Dhabi though, but also the abundance of attractions and activities that the city has to offer, restaurants, and the fantastic shopping opportunities, often described as being an absolute dream for compulsive shoppers, that draws people from all corners of the globe.

Some of the things to see and do include:

• Swimming — Private clubs, and almost every hotel has a pool, normally as a private beach. Daily or yearly payments are available for the use of these amenities. The Club is another option for swimming, which is less expensive, and aimed at expats.

• Various natural outdoor activities – You might think the desert to be a boring, uninteresting, and even dangerous place, but there are some truly amazing natural areas to visit during your stay. These include crystal clear waterfalls, beautiful freshwater lakes, and some extremely interesting cliffs lined with fossils.

• The Camel Race Track — Camel racing is one of the unusual, must-see attractions which take place every Thursday and Friday during the winter months. Apart from watching the exciting race, you can also visit the paddocks where the racing camels are kept and looked after.

• The parks — One of the oldest parks in Abu Dhabi, Al Safa, is a popular venue for sport lovers, who go there to enjoy playing soccer, volleyball, and tennis. For children, there is a ferris wheel and bumper cars, as well as a video arcade where they can play games. There are picnic areas and barbecues for those who would like to spend the day there, and a maze as well, to stroll around in.

• Dune Bashing or Desert Safari — Expert desert drivers will take those looking for an adrenalin rush, on a memorable drive over the sand dunes, let you watch a spectacular sunset from a special vantage point, and then take you to end the day with a sumptuous dinner, complete with music and dancing to end the exciting day.

Shopping

Abu Dhabi has several malls, aimed at both locals and foreign visitors, where just about anything and everything can be purchased. The one thing that surprises most female visitors to the city is that although women, according to local custom, must be entirely covered when out in public, short skirts and tops are sold in most stores, together with the very long skirts and high-necked, long-sleeved tops that the local women are expected to buy.

Most of the malls are huge. Like one for instance, which is three storey’s high, and another which has a beautiful musical fountain (the Marina Mall), as well as a ceiling that thunders and rains! Most of the malls have plenty of high-end stores, and extensive food courts.

Independent stores are also plentiful in the city, where you can buy anything from computer parts, to clothing, to antiques, to exotic chocolates. Carpets, local jewelry, antiques, and art is better purchased from these small stores rather than at the malls, because not only will you pay less for these items, but you can also bargain with the shopkeeper for an even better deal.

Restaurants

Cuisines from all over the world are found in restaurants in the city, with hotel restaurants being the most expensive. Fast food chains such as Hardees and McDonald’s, and many others as well, are also plentiful. The one great thing about eating in Abu Dhabi though, is the fact that you can have food delivered to anywhere in the city, from the smallest food shack, to fast food places, to luxury hotel restaurants. Delivery is normally fast and reliable, and in most cases won’t cost you anything extra.

Planning Dubai vacations around activities, sights and cultural events is the best way of getting a complete experience of this unique country. This Middle Eastern country is a destination for business travelers, families and honeymooners. It is filled with people to meet, things to do and places to go. Since the people are so friendly, asking them questions will help you find remote locations as well as learn about their traditions.

The Burj Khalifa

This tallest building in the world is impossible to miss once you arrive in Dubai. Soaring on top of the city like a huge needle-shaped spacecraft, the structure is surely a wonder of modern design and technology. The opportunity to look at the city from the 134th floor of the observation deck is something that you should not miss. Whether night or day, the view is spectacular.

Shopping in Dubai

Dubai has a countless list of shopping malls from which you can shop. They range from the large malls selling branded commodities to the small shops known for souvenirs and trinkets. Whichever mall you choose to visit, you need to go on a tax-free shopping spree in Dubai. Visiting the Batutta Mall for instance is a great experience. You will feel as if you have visited several countries in a single day. The mall will take you through Tunisia, Egypt, China and more with the various wings themed to every featured country. Other malls that you should not miss include Dubai Mall, Souk Madinet Jumeirah, Wafi Mall and Deira City Centre.

Burj Al Arab

This seven-star hotel has been an icon for Dubai since its construction. In spite of the numerous new fancy hotels in Dubai, this hotel still has a lure. It is mostly preferred by most Dubai residents and visitors because of the underwater seafood restaurant, exotic glass elevator and the aquariums located at the sides of the escalator. If you want to explore more of Burj Al Arab, an afternoon tea at Sahn Eddar offers an insight to the magnificence of the hotel’s interiors. The Majlis Al Bahar situated on the beach is also a more attractive alternative from where you can marvel at the true outer beauty of the Burj Al Arab.

Skiing in the desert

Skiing is an exciting thing to do at Ski Dubai. The place has snow all year though it contrasts so much since Dubai is known to be hot and sunny. Ski Dubai is the largest indoor ski resort on the planet located within the huge Mall of the Emirates. It has an amazing setting for intermediaries and beginners to enjoy snow activities such as snowboarding, skiing and tobogganing. Ski equipment is also available for hire. Halfway up there is café-bar where you can take hot chocolate.

Desert Safari

A holiday in Dubai is never complete without a desert safari. Desert safari includes driving in a 4-wheel vehicle through the desert slopes and ends up at a campsite offering shisha and dinner. The campsite also offers camel riding, henna tattoos and the chance to dress up in authentic Arab apparel. Through the ride, the driver stops halfway to give tourists time to attempt sand boarding. The safari starts late in the afternoon and goes into the night. It constitutes a traditional Arabic dinner as well as a show that features a live belly dancer.

Dubai Creek Cruise

Cruising down the Dubai creek with the city’s sparkling lights in view is a lifetime experience. The cruise is on a traditional Dhow, which is an Arabic boat, and lasts approximately three hours. Dinner constitutes buffet style with unlimited soft drinks, coffee and water. Alcoholic beverages on the other hand can be bought at an extra charge. The cruise includes a show performed by Arab men and belly dancers. Women wearing vibrant clothes are also seen singing and dancing to a live band playing Arabic music.

Dubai Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence Walk

Constructed in the last couple of years, Dubai Marina has many amazing skyscrapers while adjacent to it is Jumeirah Beach Residence Walk (JBR). The JBR and Marina is a city within a city. It has amazing architecture, pretty bars and cafes, some of the top restaurants in the city and high-end hotels. During daytime, the scenes are equally as sensational as in the evening, and several people jog all around Marina for that reason. At the back of the Address Hotel, you can board the Dubai ferry. This is great for locals and visitors since it carries you into the sea as well as past the well-known Atlantis Hotel on the man-made Palm Jumeirah.

Generally, spending your holiday in Dubai is an amazing experience. Whether you want to shop in the exceptional malls, experience indoor skiing at Ski Dubai or experience Middle Eastern hospitality on a desert safari, Dubai has it all.